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Greetings,
September ushered in a subtle touch of autumn as the temperature began its gradual descent and the trees adorning the campus began their transition to vibrant hues.
Campus News
Much has happened since the last Campus Update was shared. For example, Clarke faculty and staff gathered on August 15 and 16 for the annual CU Conference during which Steve Kapelke, MFA, Vice President for Academic Affairs, introduced the newest members of the Clarke community; I provided food for thought in my presidential address “Living our Values Enlivens our Future;” and faculty and staff participated in workshops that focused on athletics/academics, community-building, and trauma-informed teaching and learning.
We also welcomed Clarke’s largest incoming class in our long history! These new students participated in CONNECT—Clarke’s stellar onboarding event for new students—on August 17 and 18. In addition, many students attended the Student Involvement Fair on August 29.
On August 30, Clarke community members gathered for our traditional convocation and tree-planting ceremonies. As part of the Convocation ceremony, Tony Breitbach, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemistry, and winner of the 2023 Meneve Dunham Award for Excellence in Teaching, encouraged incoming students to “Play Hard, Play Fair, and Have Fun.”
Additionally, over the past few weeks, we have been welcoming new students to the Clarke community via our annual New Student Dinners. During these dinners, incoming students have an opportunity to share with me their observations regarding what Clarke is doing well and what could be improved. I’ve been impressed by their desire to succeed and their appreciation for what Clarke has to offer.
I can’t consider this Presidential Campus Update complete without conveying how much we all are looking forward to seeing our alumni on campus at the end of the month for many Homecoming events!
Strategic Plan Update
When I arrived at Clarke, I introduced a five-phase plan that will guide our university through December 2024. We have completed Phase 2 of this plan, and we celebrated its successful completion with a gathering in the Atrium on August 31.
At that gathering, we unveiled renderings of a Student Success Center. This center is just one of the highlights of our Capital Campaign that will be launched soon, and its conception dovetails with one element of Phase 3: Financial Review/Fundraising.
Another element of Phase 3 is the finalization of our Assurance Argument that will be presented to the Higher Learning Commission next month as the final step in our preparation for a site visit in November. I am proud of and impressed by the many astute contributions from members of the faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees. This document illuminates the great work that we do and our aspirations for the future.
With gratitude,
Fletch
Interim President
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